Cloth conditioning machine



June}, 1931. H. H. WIGGLESWORTH 1,808 7 CLOTH counrnoume MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 19:50 4 sheets-sheet 1 NVENTOR ATTOR NEY June 2, P931. H. H. WIGGLESWORTH 8,7

CLOTH CONDITIONING MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 1154 I !IIIIIIIIIIII 'IIIIIIA June 2, 1931. H. H, \MeGLEswoRTH CLOTH CONDITIONING MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 2. 93 H. H. WIGGLESWQRTH 1,808,701-

CLOTH CONDITIONING MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1930 4- Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY Patented June 2', 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'HARBY imQ E Q TH, 0 MOUNT AIBY, rr isrivsme more CQNQIT-PIQNIISTG MAQHINE,

Application filed February 19, $93.0. Serial No. 429,715.

The present invention relates to an improved cloth conditioning machine, namely a machine of the type for tempering and humidifying, the purpose being to restore the requisite amount of moisture into fabrics, which have been over-dried after washing, during the course of manufacture.

It is well known in the art that in the manufacture of cloth, the cloth is subjected to a '1 washing process and then a drying process, which latter process is over subjected to the material. It is this over-drying process that this present invention aims to correct, that is to restore to the cloth the proper feel and at the same time insure the requisite'perture of apparatus for conditioning cloth,

that is, restoring the proper temper to the material.

One of the'features of the present invention is to provide in a machine of this kind, a tempering means, to which the cloth is first subjected and finally subjecting the cloth to a humidify'ing treatmentfby passing the humidity through the weave of the fabric, with N such uniformity as to give the fabric the best possible appearance, and not only give the necessary moisture, but a uniformity of feel throughout the entire area of the material. I

It is to be understood that the particulars herein given are in no way limitative, and that while still keeping within the scope of the invention, any desired modification of details and proportions may be made in the construction of the appliance according to circumstances. 7

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts to be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved fabric conditioning machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on line of Figure 1. Figure '3 is anendview'of the machine.

I Figure 4 is a sectional view online 4- 4 of 'Figure2. c i

Figure 5 isa sectional view on line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a'detaiied view of one of the guide bearings for fillGfIOlll of cloth after it has been conditioned. T

Figure 7 is an enlarged detailed yiew of one of the supports for the relief cloth to be tempered. r

Referring to the drawings 1 identifies a frame work, which may bean-y size any shape, and which comprises the cornerangle irons, which may he structural-rolled material or otherwise, the perpendicular corner ang le irons extending below the casing or housing 2, and thereby "constitutinglegs 20.

This housing or casing inay'jloe macle'up in any suitable manner and consist of panels t of plate material, and by means: of a partition 4a the housing is divided into two compartments ib and'4c, the former .constitutinga tempering compartment, while in the latter tan auxiliary casing or housing Ad is arranged in any suitable'or convenient' manner as shown.

This housing or casing constitutes a humidifying compartment 27; r

0n the top panel are mounted angle iron supports 6a, which in turn supportthe variable speed transmission 7. A m'otor 8, for driving the variable speed transmission is mounted upon the supports 6. -l;h e motor shaft is operatively connected to the speed transmissions 7 by means of a silentc'hain Any other suitable method for' driving the transmission may be used. A guard or housing 10 enclose thesilent chain' and the sprockets on which the chain is mounted. On one end of one of the shafts 7a of the variable speed transmission? a sprocket 11 is provided. This sprocket '1-1 isi n turn operatively c'onnectedto a sprocket *13 -by means of-a chain belt '12. The sprocket l 3 is carried on one end of-a shaft "13a .of the' drag roller 14, with-which a roller l5 coopera-tes.

The drag roll 14 and the roll 15 and the guide bearings 16 are carried by suitable supports 26 on one end of the machine. The roll 15 of which its spindles are supported in the guide bearing 16 so cooperates with the roll 14: as to cause the cloth as it is'conditioned to roll tightly on the roll 15. The guide bearings 16 have inclined vertical arms 17, to which are hinged arms 18. When these arms 18'are held in position by hinged dogs 19, guides or runways are formed for the spindle 20 of the roll 15. As previously stated the cloth 21 rolls on the roller 15, after passing over the drag roll 14 resulting from the revolving motion of the drag roll. When the roll of cloth is completed the dogs 19 are released, permitting the arms 18 to move into positions as shown in Figure 6. This permits the spindle of the roll 15 of cloth to move or drop down until the spindles engage with the stop pieces or abutments. After the roll of cloth reaches this position it can be removed and a new spindle or roll 15 engaged with the arms 17, with the end of cloth having been started around the I011. The full roll of conditioning cloth can then be stored in bearings on the side panels, and are'located in the temperingcompartment. The cloth to be conditioned, coming from the roll of cloth 21a pass over the idler rolls 23,'which are adapted to rotate in bearings23a and 23?) as the cloth moves in its passage through the machine. As the cloth is passingv over the rolls 23, and, as it leaves the rollers it receives a steam bath from the perforated pipes 24 and 24a, there being suitable valves 25 and 25a exteriorly of the housing for controlling the flow of steam emanating. from the pipes.

These valves are located in the steam lines,

but are exterior ofthe housing; I v i Adjacent to the tempering compartment,

and partitioned therefrom is the humidifying compartment 27. Contained in the compartment 27 are atomizer nozzles 28, and when they are adjusted they are designed to feed a requisite amount of. steam or compressed "air from the. pipe 28a. The nozzles 28 arev carried by the pipe 28a, and areconnected by tubes 28?) to the pipe 29. A water container 36 is located exteriorly of the housing and has a pipe 36a leading into the side of the housing and into and transversely of the humidifying compartment or chamber 27.

in The pipe 36a has a valve 36?) exteriorly ofthe housing for controlling the-supply of water. A pipe 360 arranged exteriorly of the housing connects with the steam supply pipe 36d. The pipe 360 connects with the transverse pipe 28a, which is disposed slightly above the transverse pipe 29. A valve 369 iscarried by the pipe 36c-for controlling the flow of steam or air under pressure. By injecting the requisite amount of steam or air and a requislte in the compartment 27 Such "moisture or humidity may be removed from the compartment 27 by means of an exhauster 30, in other 9 words a suction pump. A relatively heavy pipe 30a extends from the exhausteror evacuating device and extends into the housing transversely thereof just below the transverse center of the humidifying compartment or chamber.

The bottom wall of the compartment 01 chamber 27 is shaped as shown in Figure 2 and is providedwith an outlet opening 27 cl. However on opposite sides of' the opening 27d the bottom wall is formed with traps 27g, in whicha certain amount of the moisture collects and overflows out through the opening 27d. -A deflector 27h arches over the opening 27d, thereby preventing too great a flow of the moisture. Drain pipes 28g extend from the bottom of the traps 27g and are connected tothe'drain pipe 26621, which in turn connects with the drain line 26g, so as to carry off a certain percentage of the moisture which condenses. I

The cloth passes just below the traps and in direct contact with the pipe 30a, that is, r

. To ascertainthe amount of vacuumcreated by the. exhauster 30 a gauge 34 is located in the suction pipe close to the extreme end. The exhauster 30 is driven by direct connection with the motor 35. This mechanism located as shown does not require any additional floor space, and the discharge from the exhauster 30 can be returned to the compartment, ormight otherwise be suitably taken care of in any convenient manner as shown. In order. to return this moisture laden air to'the compartment 27,, a pipe 3072. may be connected with the outlet pipe 3070 of the exhauster, vand in'turn extended through the wall of the humidijfying compartment 27 .j

The atomizer nozzles 28 are of the automatic type and receive their supply of water from the container36. in which is located the float member or ball 37 for actuating the The adjustment of the valve acts to regu late the flow of water into the container or steam or compressed air passing through the heads from the upper pipe of the system;

At one end of the machine and positioned on supports 26 are half bearings 41, which in turn support the spindle of the roll of cloth 21a, which is to be tempered and humid ified in order to give the cloth an even tension while passing through the tempering machine. The speed of the cloth is retarded to an extent by the application of pressure against the roll of cloth, through the medium of the roller 42, which is mounted in bearings 43 kept in position :by the springs 44. These springs surround stems 45, which are carried by the bearings 43 and guided in the angle plates 46. The bearings 43 are guided by means of stud bolts 47 passing through slots 48, said bearings 43 being free to operate and move on the supports 2?). a

By the above description of the apparatus at hand, it is believed a complete summary of the tempering and humidifying o-rin fact a reconditioning of the cloth is apparent, and particularly understandable by those versed in the art of cloth manufacturing. It is obvious that by adjusting the speed of the travel of cloth through both compartments with the steam bath and the atomizer in the humidifying compartment properly adjusted, it is possible to obtain a re-gain of moisture of the desired percentage.

To those manufacturers who desire to extract excessive moisture from the cloth as it leaves the washing and drying process, this machine when equipped with a larger exhauster can be employed as a vacuum extracter by passing the cloth over the slotted suction pipe, without using either the steam bath or atomizers, and such method of extraction would have a decided advantage over the method of extraction by centrifugal extractors commonly known as wizzers.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed is:

1. In a cloth conditioning machine including a housing having'a tempering compartment and a humidifying compartment, means in the tempering compartment for subjecting the cloth to a steam bath by means of sprays, the humidifying compartment having a trap controlled outlet for the humidity therein and under which the cloth passes,

and means mcludmg a suction plpe for drawing the humidity through the cloth.

2. In a cloth conditioning machine including a housing having .a tempering compartment and a humidifying compartment, means inthe tempering compartment for subjecting the cloth to a steam bath by means of sprays, the humidity-ing compartment having a trap controlled outlet for the humidity therein and under which thel'cloth passes, and means including a suctionpipe for drawing the humidity through the cloth, andrmeans for returning the humidity to the humidifying compartment- .o

3. In a cloth conditioningmachine including a housing having a tempering compartment including sprays for subjecting the cloth to a steam bath, a humidify'ing compartment having a trap controlled outlet for the humidity, and means for extractingjthe humidity from the humidifyiifg compartment and drawing it through the cloth.

4.. Ina cloth conditioning machine including a housing having a tempering compartment including sprays for subjecting the cloth to a steam bath, ahumidifying compartmenthaving a trap controlled outlet for the humidity, and means for extracting the humidity, from the humidifyin'g compartment and drawing it through the cloth, said humidityextracting means including a suction element having a slot .over which the cloth passes toinsurfe uniformity of extrac "tion of the humidity through the entire area of the cloth. 7 4

'5. In a cloth conditioning machine including a housing having a tempering compartment including sprays for subjecting the cloth to a steam bath, a humidifying compartment having a trap controlled outlet for the humidity, and means for extracting the hum'idity from the humidifying compartment and drawing it through the cloth, said humidity extracting means including a suction element having a slot over whichvthe cloth "passes to insure uniformity'of extraction ofthe humidity through the entire area of the cloth, and means operatively connected with the suction pipe for extracting "the humidity including means for returning .the humidity to the humidifying compartment.

6. In acloth conditioning machine including a housing provided with means for'subj ecting the cloth to a steam bath, a humiditying compartment" in the housing having,

atomizerslocated therein, said compartment having a. humidity trap controlled outlet under which and in close proximity thereto the'cloth passes, and means including a slotted suctionpipe immediately under the cloth and in contact therewith for drawingthe humiditythrough the cloth. i V

7. In a cloth conditioning machine including a housing provided with means for subjecting the cloth to a steam :bath, a humidifying compartment in the housing having 'atomizers located therein, said compartment having a humidity outlet under which and in I close proximity thereto the cloth pas'ses,,and "means including a slotted suction :pipe immediately under the cloth and in contact therewith for drawing the humidity through the cloth, means connected to the last named means for returning the humidity to the humidifying compartment.

8. In a cloth conditioning machine, a housing'having means at one end. for the support of a roll of cloth to be conditioned, said sup- 7 the cloth.

9. a Ina cloth conditioning machine, ahousing having means at one end for the support of a roll of cloth to be conditioned, said supporting means having tensioning devices for retarding and tensioning the cloth as it pays e out on its passage through the machine, said housing having a humidifying compartment provided with air and water atomizing means and including a humidity outlet, under which and in close position thereto the cloth passes, and means including. a suction element for extracting the humidity from the compartment and thereby drawing it through the cloth, and means at the other end of the housing including a cloth drag device for pulling the cloth through the machine, whereby it may pass over the suction element.

10. In a cloth conditioning machine, a housing having-means at one end for the support of a roll of cloth to be conditioned, said supporting means havingtensioning devices for retarding and tensioning the .cloth as it pays out on its passage through the machine, said housing havinga humidifying compartment provided with air and water atomizing-means and including a humidity outlet, under which and inclose position thereto the cloth passes, and means including a suction element for extracting the humidity from the compartment and thereby drawing it through the cloth, and means at the other end of the housing including a cloth drag device for pulling the cloth through the machine, whereby it may pass over the suction element, variable speed mechanism operatively connected to the cloth pulling and drag means for transmitting power thereto vari ably, and means for operating said variable speed mechanism.

11. In a cloth conditioning machine, a housing including a humidifying chamber provided with atomizing means and having a humidity outlet,'means for supplying air and water to the atomizing means, means including a slotted suction element over and 1 in contact with which and under the outlet and immediately over the slot the cloth passes for drawing the humidity from the chamber.

12. In a cloth conditioning machine, a housing including a humidifying chamber provided with atomizing means and having a humidity outlet, means for supplying air and water to the atomizing means, means-including a slotted suction element over and in contact with which and under the outlet and immediately. over the slot the cloth passes for drawing the humidity from thechamber, and means associated with the last named means for returning the humidity to the chamber;

13. In a cloth conditioning machine, a housing having a humidifying chamber including atomizing means therein and provided with a trap controlledoutlet under which and in close position thereto the cloth passes, a baffle over the outlet to prevent excessive extraction of the humidity, and means with the last named means for returning the humidity .to the chamber. v

15. In a cloth conditioning machine including a housing having means at one end for subjecting the cloth to a steam bath as the cloth passes through the housing, and a humidifying compartment at the other end g of the housing provided with atrap controlled outlet for the humidity, and under which the cloth passes, a suction pipe over 1 an opening of which thec-loth passes at a point immediately under theoutlet for drawing the humidity throughthe cloth.

16. In a cloth conditioning machine including a housing having means at one end for subjecting the cloth to a steam bath as the cloth passes through the housing, and a humidifying compartmentat the other end of the housing provided witha trap controlled outlet for the humidity, and under which the cloth passes, a suction pipe over an opening of which the cloth passes at a point immediately under the outlet for drawing the humidity through the cloth, and means for returning the humidity to the humidifying compartment. H V V '17. In a cloth conditioning machine including a housing provided with a humidioutlet under which the cloth passes, traps at opposite sides of the outlet for controlling the humldity, a deflector over the outlet and ,fying compartment having a humidityso associated with the traps as to complete their functions and direct the humidity let under which the cloth passes, traps at opposite sides of the outlet for controlling the humidity, a deflector over the outlet and so associated with the traps as to complete their functions and direct the humidity through the traps, a suction pipe over an opening of which the cloth passes at a point immediately under the outlet for drawing the humidity through the cloth, and means for returning the humidity to the humidifying compartment. 7

19. In a cloth conditioning machine including a housing provided with a humidiii'ying compartment having a humidity outlet under which'the cloth passes, traps at opposite sides of the outlet for controlling the humidity, a deflector over the outlet and so associated with the traps as to complete their functions and direct the humidity through the traps, a suction pipe over an opening of which the cloth passes at a point immediately under the outlet for drawing the humidity through the cloth, and drawing pipes in the traps to carry off the excessive moisture collected in the traps.

20. In a cloth conditioning machine including a housing provided with a humidifying compartment having a humidity outlet under which the cloth passes, traps at opposite sides of the outlet for controlling the humidity, a deflector over the outlet and so associated with the traps as to complete their functions and direct the humidity through the traps, a suction pipe over an opening of which the cloth passes at a point immediately under the outlet for drawing the humidity through the cloth, and drawing pipe in the traps to carry off the excessive moisture collected in the traps, and means for returning the humidity to the humidifying compartment.

In testimony whereof he afliXes his signature.

HARRY I-I. WIGGLESWORTH. 

